An upcoming NINJAGO set was partially inspired by a LEGO NASA model

A LEGO designer has pulled back the curtain on an upcoming NINJAGO Seabound set, revealing some initial design sketches, Easter eggs and a function inspired by a NASA model.

Niek van Slagmaat has thanked builders for a positive response to the NINJAGO summer sets by detailing how 71756 Hydro Bounty was designed from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously the NINJAGO designer has also explained why the submarine seen in the show and the one as it appears in the model have a few differences. 

The Twitter thread begins with a picture of one of the last development models of the set, with many of the design elements seemingly the same as in the final product. 

There was an older sketch model by Theo Bonner, that explored the aesthetic and concept. I took it from here and was tasked to make it into a submarine version of the Bounty, then named the Sword of the Sea. I did some sketches to start off with to explore the shape and features. pic.twitter.com/HQZk2hiEc9

— Toothdominoes (Niek) (@Toothdominoes) May 4, 2021

Another tweet shows how the detaching mech at the front of the ship was supposed to look in early designs, with a mechanical face resembling Master Wu. Parts of this are retained in the set though, with a smaller Wu drone piloting the robotic suit. 

Those drones might also be a reference to TeeVee from Alpha Team and Hidden Side, with fans coining the characters ‘Tea-Vee’, due to Wu’s rapid consumption of the beverage. 

Because we knew Wu would be left on the surface, I really liked the idea of him calling in remotely on a television with legs. That idea turned into the Wu Bots. (Or Tea-Vee as I have seen him be called <3) Thanks for reading this thread! Hope it was insightful. pic.twitter.com/ebHJxUhRua

— Toothdominoes (Niek) (@Toothdominoes) May 4, 2021

The LEGO designer also revealed some of the troubles that he faced when designing the set with the opening hangar doors leaving the team stumped. Thankfully, fellow designer Milan Madge was working on 10283 NASA Space Shuttle Discovery at the time and assisted Niek with the function used for the cargo doors. Who’d have thought that these two models would have such an out-of-this-world connection?

The door construction proved to be a real pickle as we needed something that could open wide enough to let the subs pass through but also be strong enough. My friend Milan Madge was facing a similar problem with his shuttle, so I stole his solution and turn it transparent blue. pic.twitter.com/oddmzvdtZP

— Toothdominoes (Niek) (@Toothdominoes) May 4, 2021

71756 Hydro Bounty will be available as part of the upcoming Seabound wave of sets, which are likely due for this summer alongside two more NINJAGO Legacy builds. 

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